Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Which part of the tooth includes the nerve and blood supply?

1. Cemento-Enamel Junction

2. Enamel

3. Dentin

4. Dental pulp

The correct answer is: Dental pulp

The correct answer is the dental pulp, as this is the part of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood supply. The dental pulp is located at the center of the tooth and is responsible for the vitality of the tooth, supplying it with nutrients and sensation. It plays a crucial role in the tooth’s health by responding to stimuli and protecting against infections. In contrast, the cemento-enamel junction is simply the area where the enamel meets the cementum on the tooth's surface and does not contain nerve or blood supply. Enamel is the hard, outer layer of the tooth that protects it from decay and is acellular, meaning it does not contain nerves or blood vessels. Dentin lies beneath the enamel and is less hard than enamel, but it does not house the nerve or blood supply; rather, it transmits sensations to the dental pulp. Thus, it is the dental pulp that is the key component in providing the tooth with its necessary nerve and blood supply.